Sophomore Rider
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Commuting is the best part of my day!
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Post by trailheadmike on May 28, 2016 7:56:50 GMT -5
Hello friends. I haven’t posted since November and I’d like to share with you the reason why. On November 20th I was travelling on a local, 2-way traffic road, one lane in each direction, when out of the blue the car coming towards me in the other direction decided to make a left turn right in front of me. I had about two feet to react, and I crashed into the driver’s side front quarter panel and went flying over the car. I landed in the street, and when all was said and done I shattered my right tibia, fibula and part of the kneecap into “too many pieces to count” as my orthopedist put it, along with my right wrist. I now have rods, plates and screws throughout. There are a few pics below. I entered the hospital on November 20th and eleven surgeries later I left on January 12th. Since then I’ve gone from bed to wheelchair to walker to crutches to cane, but even with physical therapy its been very slow going. With any luck I’ll be walking unassisted by the summer. The kicker? The guy who cut me off was an Uber driver, with a passenger, who was looking at his GPS to see where he was. The moral of the story? Please always be alert out there, and remember to wear your gear. I was only travelling at 25 mph and still suffered terrible injuries. The front of my scooter is simply gone. Thanks to my helmet my head was uninjured, and even the light summer riding gloves I had on were enough to fully protect my hands. I’m not sure if I am going to return to scootering when I’m better, but I’m going to remain a participant on the site so I can live vicariously through the rest of you. I’ve always enjoyed the camaraderie on this site and the enthusiasm people have to help. Ride safely friends.    |
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Post by spandi on May 28, 2016 8:41:33 GMT -5
Mike, I'm shocked and saddened to hear what has happened to a fellow scooterist. I can't even imagine the physical and emotional pain you must be going through right now. Please take it easy and recover. I'm sure your friends and family are there for you and be assured the folks at IITR will do anything they can to help.
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Post by rockynv on May 28, 2016 9:17:27 GMT -5
Mike,
Good to hear that you are on the mend. Some would be surprised at how much injury a decent pair of long gloves cinched to the cuffs of a CE3 riding jacket can prevent. I went down at 45 mph and was run over by the bike in a low side after sliding out on sand during a lane change and walked away with just bruises since the gear did its job. The carbon fiber along with palm sliders on the gloves combined with the cuffs cinched tight on the jacket help protect my wrists from getting torqued and broken when I hit the pavement and got rolled as the 250 landed on top of me.
The psyche may prevent you from returning to riding safely on the street again so don't let anyone push you back out until you feel comfortable with the concept. I know some who just can't handle the thought of it after and injury like yours and they are better off staying away from it rather then ride due to peer pressure.
Continue to heal and mend, don't worry about the bike or riding.
Regards,
Rocky
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Post by tortoise on May 28, 2016 10:17:56 GMT -5
Unfortunately it does not take much speed to inflect serious injuries . . 5 mph example. |
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Post by crawford on May 28, 2016 10:45:50 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about you injury's I was to hurt my arm was crush and nearly torn off 3 disks pulled from my neck. So what I'm saying from experience get back on the horse after you recover that is. I waited 25 years wasted time now I riding don't waste time you can't get it back I know for sure I'm now enjoying my life wish I never waited so long fear of being injured was a bad thing.
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Sophomore Rider
Currently Offline
Commuting is the best part of my day!
Posts: 213
Likes: 14
Joined: Feb 26, 2013 7:56:23 GMT -5
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Post by trailheadmike on May 28, 2016 13:39:18 GMT -5
spandi, rockynv, tortoise, crawford Thanks for the sentiments and for sharing your stories. I get a lot of stories from bikers who were mangled and lost limbs from accidents, and to a man they got back on their motorcycles if they were capable of doing so. I'll probably end up on something in the future, but I don't think I'll make it my main mode of transportation this time. Perhaps my odds are better if I am on the road less!!
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Post by oldchopperguy on May 28, 2016 17:05:20 GMT -5
OUCH! Have a bone, my friend! Wish it could replace some of your broken ones!
Unfortunately, these things do happen. When I was 16 I had the same thing happen in my Dad's car. Pushed the engine right into the front seat beside me... The offending driver was a senator, and basically immune from prosecution. He had so many DWI's they'd lost count, and his drivers license was revoked decades before, but... No prosecution. My tough luck. I remember at the time I was broken-hearted abut totaling my Dad's new Chevy, and at the same time SO glad I was NOT riding "Old Blue" my pet chopper.
You may, or may not want to get back to riding. You probably will, but it may take some time. Just heal up and do whatever you feel comfortable with. We're all with you, and you can count on many prayers for a quick recovery! The good Lord is the best healer ever, and can do what doctors sometimes can't.
Heal fast, enjoy the rest and thank God it wasn't worse...
Most sincerely,
Leo (and Betty) in Texas
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Sophomore Rider
Currently Offline
Commuting is the best part of my day!
Posts: 213
Likes: 14
Joined: Feb 26, 2013 7:56:23 GMT -5
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Post by trailheadmike on May 29, 2016 9:53:04 GMT -5
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Post by wheelbender6 on May 29, 2016 10:12:38 GMT -5
Very sorry about your accident, trailheadmike. Riders often feel scoots are very safe until you venture onto the highway, but you know better.
Confession time. I was driving my truck to a job site last week, looking at my GPS navigator, and ran half way off the road on the right side. If there had been a pedestrian, bicycle or stalled car on the side of the road, I would have hit them. Since then, I pull over to look at my GPS nav. I was so grateful that I didn't hurt anybody.
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Post by rockynv on May 29, 2016 23:22:33 GMT -5
At MSF training they warn you that your vehicle tends to follow your eyes so if you are looking anywhere but where you need to be looking to stay on the road then your in trouble. It was not as big an issue on the older cars with an inch or so of play in the recirculating ball steering boxes however more critical with the newer tighter systems with almost zero play or on a bike.
Still good advice 56 years later:
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Freshman Rider
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Post by mouse0667 on May 29, 2016 23:37:07 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about a fellow rider getting hurt and hope you get well soon. I also have pins and plates from an accident at work. I broke both bones in my ankle in Dec of last year. Was in a cast for 4 months and crutches, cane, and therapy for another 2. The thing that kept me going was telling myself that the scoot came out of storage on May 1 and I was riding it home and not the wife( even though she is very capable on a bike). I'm not gonna lie I was a little nervous the first time I jump on my baby for the ride home but made it in one piece. All I can say is take your time and when you are ready you will get another scoot.
Take care
Mouse
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Post by oldchopperguy on May 30, 2016 22:29:56 GMT -5
At MSF training they warn you that your vehicle tends to follow your eyes so if you are looking anywhere but where you need to be looking to stay on the road then your in trouble. It was not as big an issue on the older cars with an inch or so of play in the recirculating ball steering boxes however more critical with the newer tighter systems with almost zero play or on a bike.
Yup! STILL good advice...Not long ago, I was on the freeway behind a rotten old sedan which was weaving all over the road... cars on both sides swerving to keep from being hit. Drunk driver? Nope! The driver, AND all six other passengers crammed in that old car were TEXTING each other non-stop... The driver's eyes were glued to his phone screen. Woulda served him right if the 18-wheeler in front of him would have "brake-checked" him.  Even my own kids with Masters degrees sit on the couch next to each other, TEXTING. Has EVERYONE forgotten how to TALK to each other? 
I well remember "Seven Little Girls" on the Motorola "Golden Throat" AM tube-radio in my 1950 Chevy... Sitting in "King's Row" at the local McDonald's... Looking for a good drag-race. I still have fond memories of that old '50... Deep-sixed the 216 stove-bolt six for a '53 'Vette 235 "Blue-Flame" six with two side-draft carbs and factory iron dual-exhaust headers... Hooked up to the stock 3-speed stick and 3. rear end, the old Chevy would keep up with most anything in 1962...
THOSE were some GOOD days... And no distractions unless a sweet bike or street-rod cruised by. Cute girls were more rare than great rides... LOL! I can still see that "illuminated swan" hood ornament on her nose... Could actually be the SAME one (with new wings, of course) that nests on "Minnie Mouse's" nose today! I do like to think so anyway... It came from my home turf of Chicago, off eBay and the casting flaws are identical to the one I had as a kid... At least it must have come from the same production run!
Ride safe, and watch for distracted-drivers!
Leo in Texas
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Post by rockynv on Jun 2, 2016 12:18:32 GMT -5
Leo - Mine was a 63 Olds Holiday Coupe with the 394 Hi Output Rocket V8. Friends called it the Vette Eater while we called it the Flying Brick. If your bike got hit by one of those that was the end.
Despise when kids text at the dinner table instead of talking.
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Post by wheelbender6 on Jun 2, 2016 19:49:18 GMT -5
"Mine was a 63 Olds Holiday Coupe with the 394 Hi Output Rocket V8."A coupe was not necessarily a small car back in those days. Nice ride. 
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Post by ricardoguitars on Jun 2, 2016 22:24:25 GMT -5
Sorry about the accident, and welcome to the titanium hardware club!  I broke my tibia and fibula twice, I have an intramedular nail installed inside my tibia, it took 6 months for a full recovery, the long bones heal fast, the slow ones are the articulations and atrophied muscles. Take your time and follow your PT's instructions, a good physical therapy is what makes all the difference in recovery, I was lucky that a good friend of mine is a PT, he got me off the crutches in a few days, amazing what a few exercises and some electricity can do for you. |
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rear end, the old Chevy would keep up with most anything in 1962...
